Shaping Public Policy

A sports event, a royal wedding, a civic commemoration can seem a long way from political processes. But public policy dealing with copyright and other intellectual property rights and touching on matters of press freedom can significantly impact on legitimate news operations.

NMC believes it is the duty of governments to safeguard press freedom, freedom of expression and access to information when sport events of major importance are staged, particularly where the awarding of hosting rights is backed by national legislation.

There have been a number of prominent public declarations and policy decisions, including:

Article 10.10, states: ‘The media are invited to fulfil their role as critical and independent observers of events, organizations and stakeholders, informing the public of the benefits, risks and educational values of physical education, physical activity and sport.’

2016 Takkula Report on integrated approach to Sport Policy: good governance, accessibility and integrity (adopted 5 December 2016), stressing ‘that sport bodies should ensure necessary access and news-gathering opportunities at all sport events for independent news media to fulfil their role as important and critical observers of sport events and administration of sports.”

Objective accounts of the field of play and journalism which holds sports administrators to account are vital to society – and to the wellbeing of sport. The harsh reality is that sport organisations cannot be expected to tell the whole story when failings occur. Independent sports journalism has huge societal and commercial value and this must be reflected in public policy